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· Editorial Staff

ICE increasingly targeting non-criminals as deportation campaign intensifies

More than half of immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent months have no criminal convictions, suggesting a significant shift from the Trump administration’s stated focus on targeting “the worst of the worst.” By the numbers The Department of…

· Carl Samson

Dalai Lama says he will reincarnate, defying China’s authority

The 14th Dalai Lama has declared that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation while setting up a renewed clash with Beijing over succession authority. What he said: In a recorded message delivered to Buddhist…

· Carl Samson

Thailand reverses historic cannabis legalization

Thailand has implemented new restrictions requiring medical prescriptions for cannabis purchases, effectively ending three years of recreational use after becoming the first Asian country to decriminalize the plant in 2022. Recreational weed no more: The new regulations, signed…

· Carl Samson

Zohran Mamdani’s pledge against billionaires, wealth inequality

Fresh from clinching the Democratic nomination to become New York City’s next mayor, Zohran Mamdani continues to ignite discussions with his progressive agenda — including a conviction that billionaires should not exist. Catch up The 33-year-old assemblyman from Queens defeated…

· Ryan General

Taiwanese President Lai: ‘Of course Taiwan is a country’

President Lai Ching-te is traveling across Taiwan to urge unity against growing Chinese pressure, declaring the island an independent country as Beijing increases military activity and Taiwan prepares for a crucial recall vote. Asserting Taiwan’s sovereignty

· Carl Samson

Asian immigrants among Guantanamo Bay’s newest detainees

The Trump administration has reportedly broadened the range of nationalities among immigration detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, now including citizens from China, Jamaica, Liberia and the U.K. alongside previous Latin American detainees. State of play: Earlier this week, 54…

· Carl Samson

Starbucks killer? China’s largest coffee chain makes US debut

Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain that overtook Starbucks in its home market, opened its first two U.S. locations in Manhattan on Monday. Where they are: Luckin opened stores at 755 Broadway in Greenwich Village near New York University and 800 6th Avenue in NoMad,…

· Carl Samson

Asian Americans express solidarity with Latinos amid ICE raids in Los Angeles

Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders are organizing their communities to support Latinos as federal immigration enforcement expands across Los Angeles, warning that Asian immigrant areas may face increased scrutiny. Catch up Government data shows 722 arrests in the Los…

· Ryan General

How your parents’ tech habits could help protect their brain

A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour indicates that regular use of digital technology is associated with a significantly reduced risk of cognitive decline in adults aged 50 and older. The study, conducted by researchers from Baylor University and the…

· Carl Samson

Bipartisan senators call for action against China’s forced labor transfers of Uyghurs

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators are pushing for stronger enforcement measures to prevent China from sidestepping American forced labor restrictions by moving Uyghur workers from Xinjiang to factories across the country. Further measures needed In a June 18 letter, Sens. Pete…

· Ryan General

These Asian American billionaire execs believe in ‘996’ work hours

Recent remarks from high-profile tech executives have renewed attention on extreme work schedules resembling China’s 996 system, in which employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. In recent interviews, Passes founder & CEO Lucy Guo and Zoom CEO Eric Yuan have both…

· Carl Samson

Why Iran’s Strait of Hormuz matters to Asia

Iran’s potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz could severely impact Asian economies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy supplies, following escalating tensions after U.S. military action against Iranian nuclear sites. Catch up The strait of Hormuz, spanning 33…

· Carl Samson

Washington’s Shasti Conrad makes history as 1st South Asian American DNC vice chair

Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad secured a historic victory on Friday, becoming the first South Asian American to hold an officer position in the Democratic National Committee’s national leadership. How she did it: Conrad beat Oklahoma DNC member Kalyn Free…

· Ryan General

Lawsuit alleges United Airlines kicked off wrong Asian woman after flight delay

An Asian woman is suing United Airlines, claiming she was wrongfully removed from a flight after being mistaken for another Asian passenger seated several rows away. The lawsuit accuses the airline of racial profiling and negligent conduct that caused lasting emotional harm.…

· Carl Samson

Orange County Viet Americans challenge Rep. Derek Tran over his response to ICE raids

Vietnamese American activists in Orange County’s Little Saigon are demanding Rep. Derek Tran take bolder action against federal immigration raids targeting Asian and Latino communities. Catch up: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been conducting sweeps across…

· Carl Samson

BTS’ Jungkook apologizes for wearing ‘Make Tokyo Great Again’ hat

BTS member Jungkook publicly apologized early Saturday (local time) following public backlash over his choice to wear a hat with a politically charged message during concert preparations. Where he wore it Jungkook, who recently completed his military service, was spotted wearing…

· Ryan General

Air India 787 crash likely due to dual engine failure: investigators

A rare dual engine failure during initial climb is the leading theory behind the crash of Air India Flight AI171, investigators said, as the death toll from the June 12 disaster rose to at least 270. Critical failure after takeoff

· Ryan General

Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang heads to Meta as part of $14 billion deal

Alexandr Wang, co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, told employees Thursday he is stepping down to join Meta Platforms, confirming his exit just days after Meta acquired a 49% stake in the company through a $14.3 billion investment. Announcing the departure

· Ryan General

Timbaland debuts an AI-generated ‘Asian’ pop singer

A virtual singer depicted as a young Asian woman named TaTa was unveiled on June 5 as the first act from Stage Zero, an AI-focused entertainment company founded in Los Angeles by Grammy-winning producer Timbaland, AI strategist Zayd Portillo and film producer Rocky Mudaliar. The…

· Ryan General

Air India Boeing 787 crash leaves hundreds dead, 1 survivor

An Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff Thursday at 1:38 p.m. local time, killing more than 240 people, officials said. 30 seconds

Answer

BTS connects to HYBE, Weverse, memberships, merch, and tickets.

People & Works

person

Ami Nakai

Open the culture page.
Open

Person · Screen

Anna Sawai

Her 'Shogun' win cracked a category that had never gone to an Asian actor in 76 years of the Emmys — a ceiling break that arrived only once the industry let an Asian-led epic play in its own language.

Open the culture page.
Open

Culture surface · Beauty

Beauty retail

Beauty retail is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.

Open the culture page.
Open

Person · Music

Dimash Qudaibergen

A Kazakh singer with a freakish multi-octave range conquered China's living rooms overnight and became Central Asia's most improbable soft-power export — a diaspora-of-one proving fandom now flows East before West.

Open the culture page.
Open

IP · Anime

Haikyu!! films

Haikyu!! is the rare franchise that peaked commercially after its manga ended — the 2024 film cleared $100M worldwide and back-catalog sales grew ~50% post-conclusion, evidence that a well-timed theatrical event can reactivate a completed IP rather than merely close it out.

Company: Toho
Open

Platform · Platforms

Kakao Entertainment

Kakao Entertainment connects to Kakao and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kakao
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kling AI

Kling AI connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kuaishou

Kuaishou connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kwai

Kwai connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Retail

Lifestyle retail

Lifestyle retail connects to Miniso and the broader retail story around it.

Company: Miniso
Open

Results

Culture · brand

Uniqlo

Uniqlo connects to Fast Retailing, the company behind the stores, basics, and repeat buying habit.

Companies: Fast Retailing
Basics, routines, travel, repeat buys.
Open

Culture · routine / beauty brands

K-beauty

K-beauty connects to companies built around skincare routines, hero products, and travel retail.

Companies: Amorepacific / Shiseido
Skincare routines, hero products, travel retail.
Open

Culture · platform

Weverse

Weverse connects to HYBE, the platform where memberships, merch, content, and fandom access keep moving after the song.

Companies: HYBE
Memberships, merch, paid content, fan app.
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:7832

Bandai Namco Holdings

Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.

Known for: Gundam · Pac-Man · Tekken
Anime
Open

Company · China · HKEX:1024

Kuaishou

Kuaishou is China's number-two short-video platform, where livestream selling turned everyday creators into a shopping channel and rewired how goods get sold.

Known for: Kuaishou · Kwai · Kling AI
Platforms
Open

Company · India · NSE:ZEEL

Zee Entertainment

Zee is one of India's largest media networks — the TV channels and ZEE5 streaming that carry Bollywood and regional-language entertainment to a billion viewers and the diaspora.

Known for: ZEE5 · Zee TV · Zee Studios
Entertainment
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:9983

Fast Retailing

Fast Retailing matters because Uniqlo is an everyday consumer habit, not just a stock story.

Known for: Uniqlo · GU · Theory
Fashion
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:035900

JYP Entertainment

JYP is tied to groups that drive albums, tours, subscriptions, merch, and international fan activity.

Known for: TWICE · Stray Kids · ITZY
K-pop
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:041510

SM Entertainment

SM is tied to idol groups, tours, fan clubs, and the long-running system behind some of K-pop's most recognizable acts.

Known for: aespa · NCT · RIIZE
K-pop
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:122870

YG Entertainment

YG connects global K-pop attention to touring, brand deals, fan demand, and artist-centered entertainment revenue.

Known for: BLACKPINK · BABYMONSTER · TREASURE
K-pop
Open

Company · China · NYSE:BABA

Alibaba

Alibaba is China's commerce-and-entertainment backbone — Taobao and Tmall shopping habits fund Youku streaming and Alibaba Pictures, tying online spending to what China watches.

Known for: Taobao · Tmall · Youku
Platforms
Open

Alibaba · Platforms · NYSE:BABA

The Grammys created an award for Asian pop. BTS said no.

Alibaba is China's commerce-and-entertainment backbone — Taobao and Tmall shopping habits fund Youku streaming and Alibaba Pictures, tying online spending to what China watches.

Source: AP News
Published signal
Read

Fast Retailing · Fashion · TYO:9983

Your Uniqlo basics keep you coming back.

This shows up when you go back to Uniqlo for another pack of basics instead of treating the brand like a one-time fashion buy.

Source: Fast Retailing
+22.4% revenue growth
Read

NetEase · Streaming · HKEX:9999

Your playlist depends on deals you never see.

NetEase helps explain gaming, music streaming, and online entertainment habits in Chinese consumer culture.

Source: NetEase
Multi-year UMG license agreement
Read

CJ ENM · Entertainment · KOSDAQ:035760

Before the first song drops, H//PE Princess already has a global Warner deal.

A debut deal matters less than whether the group turns into repeat listening, touring, merch, and fandom across markets.

Source: CJ ENM
Global Warner deal
Read

Explainer · Sanrio

Hello Kitty is not just something you buy anymore. Sanrio wants you to play inside the world.

Sanrio shows how character fandom becomes retail, licensing, collabs, parks, and global consumer demand.

Source: Sanrio
Read

Explainer · Amorepacific

K-beauty won the Amazon cart. The real prize is your second bottle.

The first sale matters less than the repeat routine. If a product sticks, the brand can keep winning on replenishment, retail placement, and cross-market demand.

Source: Amorepacific
Read